Sydney Suburbs - Where's Best??

[stretch545]

Hi all

I'm due to go to Sydney at the end of March 2008 with my family on a 457 Visa and want some advice on where the best places in or around Sydney to live are.

My kids are 10 and 12 and we are happy enough living in the Suburbs. My commute will be to Central Sydney but on the South side of the bridge and I dont really want to commute for more than 45mins, but I suppose the most important thing is good state schools.

I've read the North is expensive and although the west is cheaper its less populated by expats than the South. The South (or the Shires as I think its called) is popular with expates and indigenous aussies.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

[dragonflyblu]

Depends what you are used to and how much you want to spend. What type of house do you imagine living in. Do you want strip-mall type shopping or village? Will you have 2 cars or 1 or none?

I ask all of this because in the west you need a car each. Public transport is crappy there. The west is getting better but you need to pick your area carefully. Some schools can be a bit rough. But in saying this you can get a larger house.

The north shore is lovely, family, nice shopping areas and good schools (I mean around mosman, neutral bay area) Crows nest is close to city and nice as well. But then areas like Gordon are nice as well, lots of bushland and retirees and families. I dont know about schools there. Drummoyne is nice, I lived there for many years. It is on the water (not for swimming) but mostly there are units.

Dont know much about South, I assume you mean sutherland shire?

Eastern suburbs are expensive, but there are beaches. It is a nice place to live and yes there are lots of expats, mostly from the UK. But then again you would be hard pressed to find an area in Sydney that isnt really multicultural.

[Aussiejock]

The Hills district, north west of Sydney, is also a very good family area with very good schools. Homes range from $450k to millions. Transport system isn't as good as the North Shore and inner west, so the commute would be longer. Hope this is of some help, not adding to the confusion! There are many good areas in and around Sydney. It's simply a matter of you deciding what you want and can afford.

[jeffp]

Well, if you want to live southside you could try Burwood or Strathfield. Otherwise Balmain or Rozelle. All have good state schools. Hunters Hill is very nice and can be pricey but you can also find some cheaper places there too. It's near North Ryde and is north of the harbour but on the west side, so that might still work for you.

There are more expats in the north of Sydney, but yes, they are more expensive.

Not sure if you have used the cityhobo website yet.

We used it before we moved to Sydney and got lots of very helpful information from it on where to live. It looks at more than 50 suburbs and gives you an honest account of what's what.

[Byo]

We live in the Northern Suburbs, Ryde area. My husband takes the ferry to work everyday, to Circular Quay takes about and hour door to door. Its a tough life, cruising down the harbour.

[Kenaldo]

Originally Posted by stretch545

Hi all

I'm due to go to Sydney at the end of March 2008 with my family on a 457 Visa and want some advice on where the best places in or around Sydney to live are.

My kids are 10 and 12 and we are happy enough living in the Suburbs. My commute will be to Central Sydney but on the South side of the bridge and I dont really want to commute for more than 45mins, but I suppose the most important thing is good state schools.

I've read the North is expensive and although the west is cheaper its less populated by expats than the South. The South (or the Shires as I think its called) is popular with expates and indigenous aussies.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Hi,
I've been in Sydney a year. I'm not sure on best suburbs South but I stay in Carlingford (West) and there are lots of ex-pats and others i.e. NZ, Germany, Norway near me.
I know there are a few suburbs to avoid down in that area as it can be wild - that's from the people I know who are Sydney born and bred.
From Carlingford Eastwood and Epping railway stations are nearby and it's about 30mins in train into city approx. 1hour by bus.
Inner West suburbs are the nice (Glebe / Haberfield / Five Dock ) but very expensive.

[Liana Allan]

Hi there
I was born and grew up in Sydney.
The best suburbs in Sydney are.....
Point Piper
Vaucluse
Double Bay
Rose Bay
Mosman
Neutral Bay
Paddington
Woollahra
North Bondi
Watsons Bay

These places are the places that the very VERY wealthy people live. If you want information on good areas in Sydney that are not as expensive let me know. For more information try Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au

[alli]

i'm a sydney girl through and through, what's your budget in $AUD for rent per week?

[Lsong]

Hi,
My wife and I are considering a move to Sydney and are bringing along our two children (both dogs). Our office will be in North Ryde, but we would like to live somewhere in between the office and the city. How hard is it to find homes/townhome/apartment that is pet friendly in the lower North Shore area? We were looking to spend about $600-$800 per week. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Lance